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Animal Kingdom is Belmont choice in Triple Crown poll

Posted: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 6:33 PM

ANIMAL KINGDOM

PhotosByZ.com/Thoroughbred Times

by Ron Parker

In the first of three weekly polls leading up to the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 11 at Belmont Park, Animal Kingdom was the clear choice in the THOROUGHBRED TIMES Road to the Triple Crown poll of editors, reporters, and correspondents.

The Leroidesanimaux (Brz) colt’s 2 ¾-length victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) made him the voter’s choice for the Preakness Stakes (G1) and his closing run that came a diminishing half-length short in the second jewel of the Triple Crown was a clear indication that the 1 ½-mile Belmont Stakes distance should be well within his range.

Voters rank their top ten selections each week through the Triple Crown with a first-place vote earning ten points, a second-place vote nine points, descending to one point for a tenth-place vote.

Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford was ranked second by voters, but by only by a single point over Nehro, who finished a game second to Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby and may benefit from passing on the Preakness.

Pin Oak Stable’s homebred Alternation did not compete in the first two legs of the Triple Crown but checks in fourth in this week’s poll on the strength of his first start at Belmont Park, a victory in the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) on May 14, his most recent start.

Rounding out the top five is Master of Hounds who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby but was held out of the Preakness because trainer Aidan O’Brien felt two weeks between the races was too quick of a turnaround.

Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer